York school trustee resigns after using racial slur

By News Staff

York Region District School Board trustee Nancy Elgie has resigned after using a racist slur to describe the black parent of a student.

In a video posted on social media, Elgie recounted the conversation with trustee Loralea Carruthers that lead to the complaint.

“Last November, I made a terrible mistake,” she said.

“I was trying to refer to a parent who had been at the meeting, but I did not know her name, only that she had been featured in media stories about children being called a hurtful, racist word. In trying to explain that, the words came out wrong. Very wrong.”

Elgie said she was “mortified” when she realized what she had said and apologized to Carruthers and explained what she had meant.

“I later learned that someone passing by had heard my remark, but not the subsequent apology, and had filed a complaint.”

At a board meeting on Monday, parents, trustees and even the school board chair called for Elgie to resign.

During the meeting, Elgie’s son delivered a statement in which Elgie offered an alternative form of punishment.

“I propose a voluntary sanction where I be prohibited from participating in all board meetings for a period of three to six months if my fellow trustees authorize it,” Stewart Elgie read, on behalf of his mom.

That led to cries of “No!” from the packed crowd.

Parent Garth Bobb said letting Elgie off the hook that easily would send the wrong message.

“Just like (we teach) our children, when you do something wrong you apologize, but you still have to face the consequences of your actions,” he said.

Parents had been demanding Elgie’s resignation for months and said the board had been slow to react.

Elgie, who was not at Monday’s board meeting, said she was told not to speak to anyone on the matter until the investigation into the complaint was complete.

“It was very difficult not to be able to apologize or explain,” she said.

“I apologized to the parent involved and to my colleagues as soon as I was free to speak and I want to reiterate that heartfelt apology. I know how hurtful that word is, even if used inadvertently, and I am truly sorry for the pain my words have caused.”

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